Influential guitarist and former member of Lynyrd Skynyrd credited with co-writing "Sweet Home Alabama," Ed King has died at the age of 68.
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A post on King's Facebook confirmed the death. "It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Ed King who died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 22nd, 2018," the post said. A cause of death was not given, but King had been battling cancer and had been recently hospitalized.
King started Los Angeles psychedelic band Strawberry Alarm Clock and went on to play guitar for Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 to 1975 and from 1987 to 1996. King originally joined to replace bass player Leon Wilkeson, who later rejoined, andKing was switched over to guitar. King recorded with the band on their first three albums: (Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd), Second Helping, in which he co-wrote "Sweet Home Alabama" and can be heard counting off in the beginning, and Nuthin’ Fancy.
In 2004, Lynyrd Skynyrd was given a Southern Rock salute at the 47th GRAMMY Awards. The band performed "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird," which King also co-wrote. The guitarist was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006.
King was forced to retire due to health issues after rejoining the band for last time. He had a heart transplant surgery in 2011.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’ve just found out about Ed’s passing and I’m shocked and saddened. Ed was our brother, and a great Songwriter and Guitar player. I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in Rock & Roll Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon and his family. -Gary Rossington</p>— Lynyrd Skynyrd (@Skynyrd) <a href="https://twitter.com/Skynyrd/status/1032657299679195139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd Gary Rossington released a message on Twitter: " I’ve just found out about Ed’s passing and I’m shocked and saddened. Ed was our brother, and a great Songwriter and Guitar player. I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in Rock & Roll Heaven."
